About the course: Introduction to African Storytelling

Africa has one of the oldest oral storytelling traditions in the world. As the cradle of humankind, it’s not surprising that this rich tradition has survived through the millennia and is still an integral part of people’s lives throughout West Africa and the continent as a whole. In this Introduction to African Storytelling, through various entertaining and educational videos, you will learn the history of African storytelling, how to apply African storytelling techniques in modern storytelling and how you can use techniques in African storytelling to embrace your own cultural identity.

Meet the instructor: Usifu Jalloh

Usifu Jalloh – the Cowfoot Prince – was born in Kamakwie in the northern province of Sierra Leone and is of the Limba and Fula heritage. Both peoples’ are renowned for their rich oral storytelling tradition. He has been a storyteller for the past twenty-five years. 

Growing up, Usifu would spend most evenings listening to stories being told by his grandmother, Mammy Foyre, and his uncles, Joseph and Soriba Yamahunkate Bangura. Framed by a night sky full of billions of stars and enjoying an evening meal of roast corn and boiled groundnuts, he would listen attentively to his family’s stories while the storytelling spark grew inside of him until it was a fire that could be contained no longer. 

The stories of his uncle Joseph and uncle Soriba were particularly impactful. Uncle Joseph would tell funny stories about Woosi the Spider, whereas uncle Soriba would tell stories of spirits and adventures. Despite their different storytelling styles, both inspired Usifu’s own journey into storytelling.

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